Lionel Messi named South American Player of the Year 2022
The symbolic team of the continent included only Argentines and Brazilians.
Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina striker Lionel Messi has been named the best player in South America in 2022 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).
In 2022, he won the World Cup and the Finalissima, the French Championship and the Super Cup.
In addition, IFFHS presented the symbolic team of South America for the year. It included representatives only from Argentina and Brazil.
Goalkeeper - Emiliano Martinez (Argentina).
Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi, Christian Romero (both Argentina), Tiago Silva (Brazil).
Midfielders: Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernandez (both - Argentina), Casemiro, Neymar (both - Brazil).
Forwards: Vinicius Junior (Brazil), Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi (both - Argentina).
Lionel Messi has not ruled out participating in the 2026 World Cup